Stop hoarding or risk supermarket rationing, Scott Morrison tells shoppers

Scott Morrison has lashed out at shoppers ‘hoarding’ food, warning the government could impose limits.

Scott Morrison in Canberra on Wednesday. Picture: AAP

Scott Morrison has lashed out at “un-Australian” shoppers “hoarding” food supplies, warning that the government could impose ­limits if panic-buying continues.

The Prime Minister’s caution came as the Australian Retailers Association called on all states to follow Queensland’s lead in legislating to override delivery curfews set by local councils to allow 24-hour restocking of supermarkets.

“Stop hoarding. I can’t be more blunt about it. Stop it,” Mr Morrison said. “It’s not sensible, it’s not helpful and I’ve got to say it’s been one of the most disappointing things I’ve seen in Australian behaviou­r in response to this crisis. That is not who we are as a people.

“There is no reason for people to be hoarding supplies in fear of a lockdown or anything like this. I am seeking Australia’s commonsense co-operation with these very clear advisory positions.

“It’s ridiculous, it’s un-Aust­ralian, and it must stop.”

Mr Morrison welcomed the ­response of supermarkets to put in place exclusive shopping hours for older Australians, but said there were measures the government could take if panic-buying continued. “I would at first appeal to ­Australians to do the right thing,’’ he said. “Obviously, there are measures that could be moved towards­ if we had to do that, but, to be honest, I’d be very disappointed if we had to. I think Australians are better than that.’’

A spokesman from the Prime Minister’s Office told The Aust­ralian the measures Mr Morrison was referring to would fall under the National Co-ordination Mechanism, a response activated by the government on March 5 in response to COVID-19’s outbreak.

Operated by the Department of Home Affairs, the NCM is tasked with identifying issues that arise from COVID-19 outside of the Department of Health’s remit, and would allow the government to recommend buying limits.

The declaration of a biosecurity emergency on Wednesday would allow government recommen­d­ations made through the NCM to be ­enforced.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the Australian Retailers Association, said while the industry “may not like” the prospect of the government introducing ­buying limits, “we have to work with them”.

“No one wants it to reach that stage … (but) the government has to make these decisions in the best interest of the nation,” he said.

Mr Zimmerman sought to ­reassure Australians that panic-buying was not necessary, and that there was “quite a generous amount” of supermarket supplies in distribution centres.

“When you walk into a supermarket and you see half the stuff missing off the shelves, you get knots in your stomach and panic, thinking what you want won’t be there next time.”

Mr Zimmerman was vocal on the impact of delivery curfews on empty shelves at a supply chain roundtable with Industry Minister Karen Andrews last Wednesday, and congratulated the Queensland government on its decision.

“I’d like to see the other state governments act on this,” he said.

The Australian understands the South Australian, Victorian and NSW governments are considering similar moves.

Mr Zimmerman said supermarkets would have the opportunity to expand as a result of the demand spike, pointing to the Coles announcement on Monday that it was hiring 5000 extra casual employees.

On Wednesday, opposition local government spokesman Jason Clare called for local ­councils to immediately remove delivery curfews.